CENTUS NWEZE ReportingÂ
Nigeria’s reigning basketball premier league champions, Kwara Falcons lost their debut game at the ongoing Basketball Africa League (BAL) Sahara Conference in Dakar, Senegal.
The Nigerian team was defeated by REG of Rwanda 64 to 48 in what was a match of two halfs with Kwara Falcons matching the more experienced REG team in the first half which ended 29 to 31 points in favour of the Rwandan team. The Nigerian team capitulated in the second half scoring only 19 points.
Coach Baba Jibril of the Kwara Falcons admitted the team’s inexperience at the international level of the BAL is a major factor for the defeat but swiftly promised to lead the charge in motivating the players to comeback stronger.
“It is obvious that we were inexperienced at this international level of the BAL. Notwithstanding, we have to comeback stronger in our remaining games and this is my major responsibility as the coach,” Jibril stated.
There are six teams currently slugging it out at the Dakar Arena in Senegal for a 4-team qualification slot to the BAL season 3 final playoffs in Kigali later this year. The reigning champions, US Monastir of Tunisia; Stade Malien of Mali; AS Douanes of Senegal; Abidjan Basketball Club (ABC) of Cote D’Ivoire; Rwanda Energy Group (REG) of Rwanda and Kwara Falcons of Nigeria.
In other games played, US Monstir defeated Stade Malien 78 – 68 while ABC won REG by 76 to 70 points. Kwara Falcons will play Stade Malien next on Tuesday.